Acknowledging the perfect joy of suffering in Christ, but having a little fun along the way.

Feast of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, or "why should I care?"

Perhaps, you don't. However, if you're Catholic, the Basilica of St. John Lateran is a really big deal, even if you aren't familiar with it. Why?

Note what Fr. Tommy Lane has to say about it:On
the façade of the basilica there is an inscription in Latin which reads, “the mother and
mistress of all churches of Rome and the world.” One might think St. Peter’s Basilica is
the head of all the churches but in fact it is the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Every bishop has a cathedral and the
Pope’s cathedral is the Basilica of St. John Lateran not the Basilica of St. Peter.

Yes, St. John Lateran is the Pope's church, and the "mother of all churches". (That sounds a little naughty, doesn't it?)

Triclinium of Leo III

In addition to all this, if you're a history geek, you can't beat this place:The wooden altar on
which St. Peter celebrated Mass while in Rome is inside the main altar. The heads of Sts. Peter and Paul were
once believed to be inside busts above the main altar. Part of the table on which the Last Supper was celebrated is
said to be behind a bronze depiction of the Last Supper. At one time the Holy Stairs which is nearby was also in the
Lateran, the stairs in Pilate’s house on which Jesus is said to have walked
during his trial. It is a marble
stairs and is now covered with wood to protect it. Pilgrims ascend the stairs on their
knees contemplating Jesus’ Passion and on the way up drops of blood may be
seen on the marble stairs beneath protective glass. The stairs was brought to Rome by
Constantine’s mother St. Helena.

Scala Santa, or Holy Steps

This is why the universal Church today celebrates this place: its historical significance, its importance to the papacy, its beauty, and the fact that it is (even if we've never been there) our church.